Fatal Escondido crash may be hit-and-run

ESCONDIDO  The 20-year-old driver who lost control of her car and spun into a collision that killed her father on an Escondido freeway Monday may have been clipped by a hit-and-run motorist, the California Highway Patrol said Wednesday.

“That would remove culpability from the daughter if someone else caused (the crash),” said CHP Officer Chris Parent.

Investigators are asking that anyone who witnessed the crash or saw anything that could lead them to a third vehicle contact them at (858) 637-3800.

Marciano Mendoza Cruz, 48, of Escondido was a passenger in a 1999 BMW being driven by his daughter, Anallely Mendoza, as they headed south on Interstate 15 in the rain about 9:40 a.m., the CHP said.

Parent said Mendoza was driving too fast for the wet conditions and at state Route 78 spun out into the path of a Ford Econoline van. The van hit the BMW on the passenger side and the father suffered fatal injuries.

“Her statement was that she was in the slow lane and a vehicle came from her left and clipped her vehicle, causing her to lose control,” Parent said.

CHP investigators found a tire rub mark on the back left side of the BMW that may corroborate Mendoza’s statement, Parent said.

He said that if Mendoza is believed to be at fault for the crash, the CHP would likely seek a charge against her for misdemeanor manslaughter.

“If the investigator feels she is not at fault, it would be a felony hit-and-run with no suspect information,” Parent said.